Decluttering my house, where to start
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The Garden Frog with C Renee on Jan 09, 2015I would first start with your bedroom so you have a restful place to go when the decluttering gets to be too much. First thing you do is collect anything that does not belong in the room and put it in a box, basket or bin marked for the room it goes in. If there are things you do not want, then have boxes labeled: to donate, to keep, toss, and one for unknown. Do not hang on to clothes if you have not worn them in a year! they are stained, or you do not like even if it was a gift. I say start with the bedroom because the bedroom is a place to rest and sleep and if it is cluttered and messy it can prevent you from having a good nights sleep. Organize your closet and put in double hanging bars, shelves, etc to help you organize. I hang most of my clothes and find that I would rather hang a shirt than fold it. My closets all have built ins and it was the best investment. For other rooms, do the same thing- 4 boxes and do not keep something just because. That is weight and clutter. I try and keep counter space clear with only containers or appliances I use on a regular basis. A clean counter top makes a world of difference. The biggest hurdle with decluttering is letting go! I have helped many in the past do this and there was a bit of yelling and crying but in the end the person thanked me after they had a clean home. It took me 20 years to let go of somethings that I never liked because someone gave it to me. Well, they gave it to me because they didn't want the junk LOL I have sentimental items and they have a special place. Hanging on to something does not give you the memory because that is in your mind. If it is something that does remind you of the person then take a picture of it and frame it along with the persons picture like a collage. since it is winter I would type in organizing here on Hometalk and check out what others have done and see if it something you feel you can do. Good luck!Helpful Reply
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Gail Salminen on Jan 09, 2015@kelly I agree with the garden frog, but would add this to it. Choose the room that bugs you the most. Consider who uses the room and get them to help too and make decisions. This way you may be able to do more than one room at a time and if the kids use the room too they will be more apt to keep it that way. Good luck!Helpful Reply
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Chelseaboots on Jan 09, 2015I'm trying out for the first time this checklist to get me motivated http://organizedhome.com/printable/spring-cleaning-checklists/calendar-1 Link for page 2 at the bottom on that page. The same website has kept me on track and on budget for Christmas for well over a decade. Lots of good advice and printables. I will do my best to work through each one in a week. If I don't get everything done in a week I will take the idea and make my own calendar schedule to finish what is left. I am a list person so if it isn't on a list or printed out like that it doesn't get done. I haven't moved for 27 years so there is a lot of purging and organizing to do.Helpful Reply
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Carolyn on Jan 10, 2015if you do facebook; they have groups that motivate, just enter declutter in groups to viewHelpful Reply
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Cindy Richmond on Jan 10, 2015The two books that helped me A LOT are It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh and the Clutter Diet by Lorie Marrero. (Check online for used copies.) You and your husband can keep each other focused and moving forward. Good luck - It's soooo worth it!Helpful Reply
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Teri Kasperek on Jan 10, 2015Flylady has a web site that has daily chores that are of short duration and that keeps me motivated.Helpful Reply
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Nancy Jenkins on Jan 10, 2015I use boxes and label too keep box ,garbage box and donate box,sell box. That gets first clutter dealt with and then continue. Sell box would be for yard sale,ads in paper, online. That is majority I have. Taken 9 years at present address to clear out. Cleaned up junk drawers in kitchen no thanks to mouse poop in spices in glass and ceramic bottles.Helpful Reply
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Myrna Engle on Jan 21, 2015I'm 71 and been at present address for 35 years. How to stay organized takes daily thought and continuous effort. I've been hard at work since Nov. 2014. It was time for new approach. I'm taking care of every tiny detail as I go. Changing shelf paper and buying new containers that fit every need. Soon I will be ready for next 35 years.Helpful Reply
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Sandra rich on Aug 06, 2015Just wanted to add that to get started I put stuff I don't want or know what to do with in a laundry basket to figure out later. This immediately clears the room and keeps me from being overwhelmed. Then I go back and sort and properly organize...Helpful Reply
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Darla on Aug 06, 2015Start with the rooms that don't get much use. They will stay clean longer, so you don't have to go back and redo them before you get to the rest of the house. If you're overwhelmed, start with one wall/side of the room, or even one shelf or drawer. Put like items together or all items for one activity near where the activity is done. That way you'll find unnecessary duplicates and can get rid of them, and find what you need when you want it.Helpful Reply
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